cliff. i've talked to a lot of republican colleagues in the senate who are favorably incl e inclined toward the idea it to protect the middle class from the tax cuts. let's raise taxes on people over 250,000, and let's stop those terrible cuts in defense, homeland security, education, et cetera. >> not much time left. senator, after 24 years in the u.s. senate you are retiring, but you still have work to do. so i'm not going to say good-bye to you now, because i imagine we might speak to you again. >> i told my colleagues they're doing it to make sure those of us retiring this year work every last day of the term. we're going to spend new year's eve here i believe. >> thanks for the cheery note. thank you. good to see you. president obama is calling on the holiday spirit to avoid the fiscal cliff. >> everybody can cool off. everybody can drink some eggnog, have some christmas cookies, sing some christmas carols. >> but it may take more than divine inspiration. if so, this board gives me rate